December’s Most Anticipated PC Game Releases
▼ Summary
– The author reflects on a busy 2025 for game releases and anticipates a brief period of downtime before 2026’s games arrive.
– Several notable new horror and adventure games are releasing in December, including *Sleep Awake*, *Routine*, *Skate Story*, and *Unbeatable*.
– December features major gaming events like The Game Awards and the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted, as well as Steam’s Winter sale.
– Multiple games are entering early access or launching version 1.0 in December, such as *Effulgence RPG*, *Cloudheim*, and *Ashes of Creation*.
– A wide variety of other games are scheduled for release throughout the month, including *Octopath Traveler 0*, *Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut*, and *Marvel Cosmic Invasion*.
As the final month of the year arrives, the gaming landscape offers a fascinating mix of chilling horror, rhythmic rebellion, and long-awaited launches to close out 2025. While the relentless pace of major releases may have slowed, December is far from empty, presenting a curated selection of titles perfect for the holiday season. From battling insomnia to outlawing music, this month’s lineup promises unique experiences for every type of player.
The schedule isn’t just about new games; it also features key industry events. Our own PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted and The Game Awards will provide glimpses into the future, while Steam’s Winter Sale offers a chance to catch up on missed titles. For those seeking fresh adventures, the month delivers everything from early access beginnings to full 1.0 launches.
Leading the charge into the strange and spooky is Sleep Awake, launching on December 2. This horror title transforms the universal struggle against insomnia into a genuinely terrifying experience. Following closely on December 4 is Routine, a sci-fi horror FPS set on a hauntingly retro-futuristic lunar base. After a development journey spanning over a decade, its release proves that good things, and frightening ones, come to those who wait.
For a different kind of lunar encounter, Skate Story arrives on December 8. It reimagines skateboarding with a demonic twist, tasking players with the singular goal of consuming the moon. On December 9, the rhythm-action adventure Unbeatable challenges players to fight for musical freedom in a world where melodies are banned, blending stylish combat with a killer soundtrack.
Beyond these highlights, December is packed with other notable releases. The highly anticipated Octopath Traveler 0 brings its customizable HD-2D RPG magic to Steam on December 4. Fans of classic beat-’em-ups can look forward to Marvel Cosmic Invasion on December 1, while the Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut expands the beloved prequel with new content on December 8.
The month also sees significant progress for games in development. Several titles are stepping into early access, including the ASCII art world of Effulgence RPG (Dec. 2), the co-op crafting adventure Cloudheim (Dec. 4), and the ambitious PvP/PvE MMO Ashes of Creation (Dec. 11), nearly a decade after its initial announcement.
Whether you’re in the mood for a Lovecraftian boomer shooter like Blood: Refreshed Supply, a solo dino-hunting survival FPS in Ferocious, or a narrative experience about mental health with Anxiety Puppy, December’s diverse roster ensures there’s something to play as the year winds down. It’s the perfect time to explore these intriguing worlds before turning the page to a new year of gaming.
(Source: PC Gamer)
